FCT and Aga Khan Development Network launch second call for joint projects

The FCT, in partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has launched the 2nd Call for the funding of joint scientific research and technological development projects, which runs until September 30, 2019. The call is conducted under the Protocol for Scientific and Technological Cooperation established between the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education (MCTES) and Ismaili Imamat.

This second call for proposals provides a budget of €2.5 million, and each project can be funded up to €250,000. In 2017, in the first call of this partnership, 16 projects were selected for funding, with a total joint FCT-AKDN investment of €4.6 million.

Portuguese, African, and AKDN scientific and academic institutions can apply for this second call for proposals to establish new initiatives and collaborations, with the aim of creating and developing research capacities in African countries. It is also intended to encourage and strengthen scientific, technical, human, and social skills and capacities aimed at improving the quality of life in Africa.

The proposed projects should be on emerging themes in the context of Quality of Life, including food security and biodiversity, early childhood, habitat, sustainable energy systems and urban development, poverty alleviation, and resettlement of migrants, civil society and pluralism. The proposals should encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and ensure sufficient resources and duration to allow the capacity building and knowledge strengthening in Portugal and Africa in these areas.